The Popsicles

One sunny weekend, the boys and I made juice popsicles in our plastic popsicle holders.  First, we began by digging out the pitcher from the bottom cabinet.  Son #1 quickly opened the cabinet door and spied the needed pitcher.  Son #2 hopped up and down beside the freezer door as I searched for the frozen orange juice concentrate.  As soon as I found the orange juice concentrate, the boys dragged kitchen chairs to the counter and climbed onto the seats. 

"What are you guys doing?"  I asked playfully.

"We're going to help you make the popsicles!"  Son #1 shouted with excitement.

"I make popsicles!"  Son #2 echoed with delight.

"Alright."  I said as I relinquished the ingredients and stepped back to monitor their work.  "Are you guys ready?"

"Yeah!"  They both screamed.  Son #1 began to remove the lid to the juice concentrate while Son #2 jumped on the chair.  As soon as the lid  was taken off the juice concentrate container, I helped my oldest son squeeze the frozen contents into the pitcher.  Son #1 grunted as he tried to shake the frozen orange juice out of the tube.  "Mommy!"  He yelled in frustration.  "I can't get the orange juice out!"

"Hmm.  Let me help you."  I replied as I grabbed a spoon from the utensil drawer.  Together, we scooped the remaining contents of the tube into the pitcher.  Once empty, the tube was ready to be filled with water. 

Son #2 was dancing impatiently on the chair waiting for his turn.  He eyed the empty tube and chattered.  "I wanna pour da water!  I wanna pour da water!"

"O.K.  You can pour the water."  I responded while turning on the sink faucet. 

Son #2 cheered and held onto the small container with both of his chubby hands.  "I did it!"  He said proudly as he poured the water into the pitcher.

"I wanna do the next one!"  Son #1 said as he tapped me on the shoulder.

"Alright Baby."  I instructed my youngest son.  "You need to give the juice can to your brother."

Son #2 pouted for a moment but was persuaded to give up the container.  Son #1 smiled and thanked his younger brother.  Then, he proceeded to meticulously fill the can to the top.  Once full, Son #1 poured the water into the pitcher.  Finally, it was my turn to add the last can of water.  I quickly finished my task in order to have the boys mix the contents of the pitcher together. 

My two boys grinned as I handed each of them a mixing spoon.  They took turns mixing the concentrate and water.  Periodically, I could see the boys peeking into the pitcher to see if the frozen orange juice had dissolved.  I giggled to myself as I watched them work as a team.  Sometimes, there was a bit of shouting but it was resolved fairly quickly.

Eventually, the boys finished mixing the contents of the pitcher.  We carefully poured the orange juice into the popsicle containers and placed them in the freezer.  Then, the boys ran outside to play.  Several hours later, I removed two refreshing, orange popsicles from their containers and presented them to my little boys as they played in the backyard.  They both screamed with joy.  Son #1 and Son #2 immediately began to lick the frozen orange treat.  They sat beside each other on the concrete patio silently eating their popsicles.  After some time, Son #1 finished his popsicle and ran to the grass to play.  Son #2 quietly watched his brother as orange juice dripped onto his hands.  With his eyes half closed, my youngest son savored the remains of his popsicle as the warm sun melted it onto his clothes.